Strasburg Struggles, Marlins Edge Nats 9-7

WASHINGTON (AP) — Stephen Strasburg matched his career low by lasting only three innings in his likely final home start of the season, allowing five runs Friday night in the Washington Nationals’ 9-7, 10-inning loss to the Miami Marlins.

Strasburg, 15-6 with a 3.16 ERA, allowed two runs in the first, one in the second and two in the third, giving up six hits — including home runs to Giancarlo Stanton and Rob Brantley. He threw 67 pitches and was pinch hit for in the third.

In his first full season following elbow-ligament replacement surgery on Sept. 3, 2010, Strasburg has 197 strikeouts in 159 1-3 innings. The Nationals, wanting to protect the arm of the 24-year-old right-hander, have said next Wednesday’s start at the New York Mets likely will be his final appearance of the season, even though Washington is likely to see postseason baseball for the first time since the original Senators in 1933.